The existence of an active and responsible parliamentary opposition
or minority is indispensable in any pluralist democracy. By criticising
the work of the government and presenting other policy options for
consideration, the opposition works to ensure transparency and efficiency
in the management of public affairs and thereby enhances the citizens’
trust in public institutions.

Utilising three comparative studies and taking the diversity
of the member states’ parliamentary systems into account, the report
provides procedural guidelines on the rights and responsibilities
of the opposition in a democratic parliament.

All parliaments grant rights to the opposition, but the opposition’s
status varies considerably between the member states. Moreover,
certain parliaments are in the process of discussing opposition
rights, including the elaboration of a status for the opposition.

The procedural guidelines presented in the report enable the
opposition to monitor the government, participate in legislative
work, and control the legality and constitutionality of parliamentary
texts. However, opposition members should not only claim rights
and means, purely and simply, but also show a willingness to use
them and make their best efforts to enhance the efficiency of parliament
as a whole.

National parliaments are invited to take inspiration from
these guidelines when updating or reforming their rules of procedure.
The member states are called on to bear the guidelines in mind when
reflecting on the adaptation of their democratic institutions, particularly
their parliaments, to the needs of a modern society.